[[File:Matěj Čadil - Great East Road.jpg|thumb|''Great East Road'' by [[Matěj Čadil]]]]

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The '''East Road''' was a road which ran through [[the Shire]].

The Great East Road was originally laid by the [[Dwarves]] probably during the [[First Age]]{{fact}}, and ran from the [[Iron Hills]] through [[Rhovanion (region)|Rhovanion]] to [[Khazad-dûm]], from which it continued across [[Eriador]] to the [[Blue Mountains]], and then on into Kingdom of [[Doriath]] in [[Beleriand]].

The Great East Road was originally laid by the [[Dwarves]] probably during the [[First Age]]{{fact}}, and ran from the [[Iron Hills]] through [[Rhovanion (region)|Rhovanion]] to [[Khazad-dûm]], from which it continued across [[Eriador]] to the [[Blue Mountains]], and then on into Kingdom of [[Doriath]] in [[Beleriand]].

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The western parts were built to facilitate the passage of companies of Dwarf craftsmen (and later, their armed escort) across eastern Beleriand, before the [[sack of Doriath]] by the dwarfs of [[Nogrod]] ended their trade.

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The western parts were built to facilitate the passage of companies of Dwarf craftsmen (and later, their armed escort) across eastern Beleriand, before the [[sack of Doriath]] by the dwarves of [[Nogrod]] ended their trade.

After the First Age of Sun, and the ruination of [[Nogrod]] and neighbouring [[Belegost]], focus shifted to the eastern part of the ancient road, which had been built by the dwarves of Khazad-dûm in the [[Misty Mountains]]. Khazad-dûm's inhabitants, the [[Longbeards|Longbeard]] Dwarves, continued to grow in power and influence, and their trading needs meant that the road from the Iron Hills that travelled through [[Mirkwood]] to their gates became widely known. On the western side of the Misty Mountains, after traversing the [[High Pass]], the road continued to the Blue Mountains, and this part ultimately became known as the ''[[Men-i-Naugrim]]'' or "Old Dwarf Road".

After the First Age of Sun, and the ruination of [[Nogrod]] and neighbouring [[Belegost]], focus shifted to the eastern part of the ancient road, which had been built by the dwarves of Khazad-dûm in the [[Misty Mountains]]. Khazad-dûm's inhabitants, the [[Longbeards|Longbeard]] Dwarves, continued to grow in power and influence, and their trading needs meant that the road from the Iron Hills that travelled through [[Mirkwood]] to their gates became widely known. On the western side of the Misty Mountains, after traversing the [[High Pass]], the road continued to the Blue Mountains, and this part ultimately became known as the ''[[Men-i-Naugrim]]'' or "Old Dwarf Road".

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When the [[Númenórean]] realm-in-exile of [[Arnor]] was founded, the Arnorians took over the maintenance of the ''Men-i-Naugrim'', and built several fortresses on or near it (including [[Weathertop]]), and expanded or created bridges over the rivers [[Brandywine]] and [[Hoarwell]]. After Arnor was divided in [[Third Age]] 861, the Great East Road formed the boundary between two of its successor states, [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]].

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When the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] realm-in-exile of [[Arnor]] was founded, the Arnorians took over the maintenance of the ''Men-i-Naugrim'', and built several fortresses on or near it (including [[Weathertop]]), and expanded or created bridges over the rivers [[Brandywine]] and [[Hoarwell]]. After Arnor was divided in [[Third Age]] 861, the Great East Road formed the boundary between two of its successor states, [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]].

By the time of the [[War of the Ring]] in the late Third Age, where the Great East Road met the [[Greenway]] lay the ancient village of [[Bree]]. A days ride east lay [[The Forsaken Inn]], beyond which lay [[Rivendell]]. West of the crossroads the [[Hobbits]] had colonized the Shire, and their most important towns lay athwart the East Road; ([[Hobbiton]] and [[Michel Delving]] to name two).

By the time of the [[War of the Ring]] in the late Third Age, where the Great East Road met the [[Greenway]] lay the ancient village of [[Bree]]. A days ride east lay [[The Forsaken Inn]], beyond which lay [[Rivendell]]. West of the crossroads the [[Hobbits]] had colonized the Shire, and their most important towns lay athwart the East Road; ([[Hobbiton]] and [[Michel Delving]] to name two).

The western parts were built to facilitate the passage of companies of Dwarf craftsmen (and later, their armed escort) across eastern Beleriand, before the sack of Doriath by the dwarves of Nogrod ended their trade.

After the First Age of Sun, and the ruination of Nogrod and neighbouring Belegost, focus shifted to the eastern part of the ancient road, which had been built by the dwarves of Khazad-dûm in the Misty Mountains. Khazad-dûm's inhabitants, the Longbeard Dwarves, continued to grow in power and influence, and their trading needs meant that the road from the Iron Hills that travelled through Mirkwood to their gates became widely known. On the western side of the Misty Mountains, after traversing the High Pass, the road continued to the Blue Mountains, and this part ultimately became known as the Men-i-Naugrim or "Old Dwarf Road".

When the Númenórean realm-in-exile of Arnor was founded, the Arnorians took over the maintenance of the Men-i-Naugrim, and built several fortresses on or near it (including Weathertop), and expanded or created bridges over the rivers Brandywine and Hoarwell. After Arnor was divided in Third Age 861, the Great East Road formed the boundary between two of its successor states, Cardolan and Rhudaur.